Former Mav Sigman Wins U.S. Open Freestyle Title
Apr 28, 2010 | General
OMAHA, Neb. - Former Nebraska-Omaha wrestling standout Les Sigman added a piece of hardware that he had never had his hands before, a U.S. Open freestyle title to his long list of wrestling accolades he has compiled in his career.
The four-time NCAA Division II national champion defeated World fifth-place finisher Tommy Rowlands - formerly of Ohio State University, in the semifinals and rallied to upset World bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev in the finals to win the U.S. Open freestyle title at 120 kg/264.5 pounds, on April 24 in Cleveland, Ohio.
The second-seeded Sigman dropped the first period in both matches, but rallied to beat two-time NCAA Division I national champion Rowlands and the top-seeded Dlagnev, a former Nebraska-Kearney standout in succession to win the title.
Sigman owned a 9-0 all-time record against Dlagnev in college and won his fourth national title as senior against the Bulgarian native. Since college and entering their match on April 24, Dlagnev had the upper hand with a 1-3 record against Sigman.
Sigman now advances to the best-of-three finals for June's U.S. World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Sigman has now won three tournaments this season, also winnig titles at the Hargobind in November and at the Dave Schultz this past February. The Hargobind and Schultz are both international events.
Sigman knocked off two-time NCAA Division I national champ Steve Mocco - formerly of Oklahoma State University, at the Hargobind tournament.
The Sturgis, S.D., product is UNO's most decorated wrestler, owning the all-time career wins mark with a 179-7 record from 2003-2006, and is the only Maverick to ever win four individual national titles.
Sigman is currently coaching on the Penn State Nittany Lion Wrestling Club.
The four-time NCAA Division II national champion defeated World fifth-place finisher Tommy Rowlands - formerly of Ohio State University, in the semifinals and rallied to upset World bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev in the finals to win the U.S. Open freestyle title at 120 kg/264.5 pounds, on April 24 in Cleveland, Ohio.
The second-seeded Sigman dropped the first period in both matches, but rallied to beat two-time NCAA Division I national champion Rowlands and the top-seeded Dlagnev, a former Nebraska-Kearney standout in succession to win the title.
Sigman owned a 9-0 all-time record against Dlagnev in college and won his fourth national title as senior against the Bulgarian native. Since college and entering their match on April 24, Dlagnev had the upper hand with a 1-3 record against Sigman.
Sigman now advances to the best-of-three finals for June's U.S. World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Sigman has now won three tournaments this season, also winnig titles at the Hargobind in November and at the Dave Schultz this past February. The Hargobind and Schultz are both international events.
Sigman knocked off two-time NCAA Division I national champ Steve Mocco - formerly of Oklahoma State University, at the Hargobind tournament.
The Sturgis, S.D., product is UNO's most decorated wrestler, owning the all-time career wins mark with a 179-7 record from 2003-2006, and is the only Maverick to ever win four individual national titles.
Sigman is currently coaching on the Penn State Nittany Lion Wrestling Club.
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